With its maximum capacity of 5,000 tons and an outreach of up to 151 metres, the HLC is ideal for the offshore industry and can manage large components, for example, during the decommissioning of offshore platforms.

After the vessel left the port of Rostock on March 27, the ship had its name-giving ceremony in Vlissingen in the Netherlands last week. Amélie Michel, wife of Charles Michel, president of the European Council, oversaw the ceremony. Among the spectators were; Duc Vandenbulcke, CEO, DEME, Luc Bertrand, chairman, DEME, Patricia Rüf, member of the administrative board Liebherr- International and joint management of the maritime cranes company area of the Liebherr Group as well as Leopold Berthold, MD, Liebherr-MCCtec Rostock.

Over the next few weeks, the vessel will head towards Rügen and the offshore wind farm “Arcadis Ost I” in the Baltic Sea.

“What we are witnessing is a very memorable event. Fundamentally, it demonstrates what is achieved, when people work closely together, especially alongside a competent and reliable partner. We are proud by the extraordinary efforts the team at Liebherr has achieved in transporting this heavy lift crane onto this ship so that now everyone can see what has been accomplished,” said Robert Pitschmann, global application manager, Heavy Lift Offshore, Liebherr.

Thanks to its compact design, the HLC is destined to serve in the offshore market. For example, the base column, which is 16.8 metres diameter, is unique in the market. The HLC 295000 requires little space ondeck and offers more storage space for transportation.

“‘Orion’ heralds a new era in the offshore energy industry – one which will be dominated by multi- megawatt turbines, jackets and components. The combination of load capacity and superior lifting heights of Orion will enable DEME to play an important role in helping the industry successfully navigate the energy transition,” added Luc Vandenbulcke, CEO DEME Group.

Liebherr claims the HLC 295000 will make an impact in the energy transformation sector because it will support the construction of windfarms, as well as decommissioning “old” platforms, a development pushed forward by offshore wind.